Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s Hamlet A Study of the Play’s Major Soliloquies and Various Film Adaptations

Fun Facts About Hamlet Script first published in 1604Script first published in 1604 More film adaptations made of this than any other Shakespeare playMore film adaptations made of this than any other Shakespeare play “The story of a man who could not make up his mind” (LO)“The story of a man who could not make up his mind” (LO)

More Fun Facts WS’s longest, most popular, most influential playWS’s longest, most popular, most influential play Different versions of the play exist, with various differences in lines and scenes – they are known as the First Quarto (Q1), the Second Quarto (Q2), and the First FolioDifferent versions of the play exist, with various differences in lines and scenes – they are known as the First Quarto (Q1), the Second Quarto (Q2), and the First Folio

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Shakespearean Renaissance in the 20 th /21 st Century Previous and present century trend of adapting Hamlet The Bard is no longer confined to the theatre but is broadcast over airwaves, on television, and on the silver screen Never before has Shakespeare been so widely available and debated from so many viewpoints

Major Themes Fratricide Regicide Regicide IncestAdultery Espionage Espionage Insanity Insanity AssaultTreason

Major Themes Revenge Revenge Appearance versus Reality Appearance versus Reality Sanity versus Insanity Decay and Corruption

Plot of Hamlet A tragedy set in DenmarkA tragedy set in Denmark Hamlet’s father, King of Denmark, is murdered by Hamlet’s own uncle, ClaudiusHamlet’s father, King of Denmark, is murdered by Hamlet’s own uncle, Claudius Claudius quickly marries Hamlet’s mother Gertrude and becomes kingClaudius quickly marries Hamlet’s mother Gertrude and becomes king Hamlet’s father’s ghost desires his son Hamlet to get revengeHamlet’s father’s ghost desires his son Hamlet to get revenge

Plot of Hamlet continued… Hamlet feigns madnessHamlet feigns madness Stages a play to catch the conscience of the kingStages a play to catch the conscience of the king Kills Polonius, then Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Ophelia (indirectly), and just about everyone except for Claudius until it is almost too lateKills Polonius, then Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Ophelia (indirectly), and just about everyone except for Claudius until it is almost too late

Plot of Hamlet Concluded Hamlet in fits of mania, frustration, rage and introspection before he finally dies The play’s intellectualism is what keeps filmmakers and others continually adapting it in new and exciting ways

The Soliloquies There are 6 major soliloquies throughout the playThere are 6 major soliloquies throughout the play What developments and/or states of mind do the soliloquies reveal?What developments and/or states of mind do the soliloquies reveal?

In this unit, we will compare different film techniques used in 4 versions of Hamlet

Film Techniques for Comparison Direction of Camera Angle and Position of Camera Stage/Set Design Music and Sound Effects Physical Actions of Actors

Some important points about film… it helps students understand the story and the language of the play betterit helps students understand the story and the language of the play better very few if any films are ever the exact play, despite crediting Shakespeare as a writer and using the play’s titlevery few if any films are ever the exact play, despite crediting Shakespeare as a writer and using the play’s title It is a film-industry-wide practice to cut more than 2/3 of the original text of the playIt is a film-industry-wide practice to cut more than 2/3 of the original text of the play

The original text is cut because… Doing this allows the director more freedom in presenting his or her interpretation of the text of the playDoing this allows the director more freedom in presenting his or her interpretation of the text of the play Most modern audiences prefer films lasting only between 120 to 150 minutesMost modern audiences prefer films lasting only between 120 to 150 minutes

Why can’t we just watch the movie? Films alone are insufficient to teach the playsFilms alone are insufficient to teach the plays At best, a Shakespeare film is a director’s interpretation of the original story for modern audiencesAt best, a Shakespeare film is a director’s interpretation of the original story for modern audiences Each version of Hamlet is a different interpretationEach version of Hamlet is a different interpretation

What is a screenwriter? Someone who writes an original script (or uses a play) and rewrites or adapts it into a more condensed version for the screen The screenwriter writes (and rewrites) a screenplay until the director is satisfied Sometimes the director works as a screenwriter

What is a film director ? A film is made by a director, who functions as a kind of storytellerA film is made by a director, who functions as a kind of storyteller The director is responsible for the creative aspects of the filmThe director is responsible for the creative aspects of the film He or she directs how scenes will work in terms of camera angles, set design, lighting, and the physical movements of the actorsHe or she directs how scenes will work in terms of camera angles, set design, lighting, and the physical movements of the actors

Film Technique #1: Camera Angle and Shot Sequence The position chosen by the director in which to situate the camera; this determines the perspective from which the viewer sees the action, and the emotional effect on the viewerThe position chosen by the director in which to situate the camera; this determines the perspective from which the viewer sees the action, and the emotional effect on the viewer Multiple camera angles are often used during a single scene, and the director determines what is included in the shotMultiple camera angles are often used during a single scene, and the director determines what is included in the shot

Camera Elements include… How long the director stays with a shotHow long the director stays with a shot How often there are transitions from one angle to anotherHow often there are transitions from one angle to another When a camera takes the view of a characterWhen a camera takes the view of a character When there are close ups and/or long shots for a desired psychological effect on the viewerWhen there are close ups and/or long shots for a desired psychological effect on the viewer

High-angle shot: focus is downward, creating sense of power or superiority within the viewer

High-angle means looking downward

Low-angle shot: focus is upward, creating a sense of weakness or inferiority

Low-angle means looking upwards

Film Technique #2: Set Design The physical appearance of the stage or landscape as it looks during each scene throughout the film The set design consists of colours, props, and the placement of actors The details of the set design have symbolic significance

Setting Elements include… Where is the scene taking place physically? What do props and costumes tell us about the time period and each of the characters? Consider the time periods and atmospheres of the following stages…

Traditional

Modern

Film Technique #3: Music and Sound Effects The film’s soundtrack is the collection of songs used, and is not to be confused with…The film’s soundtrack is the collection of songs used, and is not to be confused with… The film’s score, which is the background musicThe film’s score, which is the background music The film’s score is composed specifically and exclusively for the director aloneThe film’s score is composed specifically and exclusively for the director alone The majority of scores tend to be orchestral, without specific individual voicesThe majority of scores tend to be orchestral, without specific individual voices

Sound Elements include… Sound effects and background noise in the scene (i.e. doors creaking, animal noises, wind, etc.)Sound effects and background noise in the scene (i.e. doors creaking, animal noises, wind, etc.) Music, voiceovers, and other sounds added to the sceneMusic, voiceovers, and other sounds added to the scene Listen to the following examples of famous film scores…

Music and Sound Elements Film adaptations of Shakespearean plays (like all films) often have specific music for different characters, as well as events, concepts, and even symbolsFilm adaptations of Shakespearean plays (like all films) often have specific music for different characters, as well as events, concepts, and even symbols Classic examples: Jaws, Psycho, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings (see clips)Classic examples: Jaws, Psycho, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings (see clips)

Film Technique #4: Body Language and Physical Movement The facial expressions and physical gestures of actors are specifically coordinated with dialogue from the scriptThe facial expressions and physical gestures of actors are specifically coordinated with dialogue from the script Different actors making different gestures and movements can greatly impact how the viewer ‘sees’ the playDifferent actors making different gestures and movements can greatly impact how the viewer ‘sees’ the play

Body Language/Physical Movement… When watching each scene, consider: What words and/or lines are emphasized with specific tones of voice and facial expressions? What physical gestures are used to convey emotions?

Film #1: Olivier’s Hamlet (1948) Succeeded in bringing Shakespeare to an international audience, popularizing the play ‘Ye olde’ standard against which all other Hamlet films are measured Offers a dark exploration of human pysche with Freudian themes and undertones

Laurence Olivier (1948)

Film #2: Zeffirelli’s Hamlet (1990) Known for making mega- mainstream films, his are the most watched and publicized of all Shakespeare interpretations Shakespeare Lite? 60% of the dialogue cut here and marketed with major Hollywood actors makes for greater appeal Makes sacrifices and compromises to bring Shakespearean culture to a mass audience

Mel Gibson (1990)

Film #3: Kenneth Branagh’s Hamlet (1996) Set in 19 th century Denmark with multi- cultural castSet in 19 th century Denmark with multi- cultural cast Self-promoting artist vs. powerful interpretive force?Self-promoting artist vs. powerful interpretive force? Only adaptation of the play to follow the entire script, resulting in a 4 hour filmOnly adaptation of the play to follow the entire script, resulting in a 4 hour film

Kenneth Branagh (1996)

Film #4: Gregory Doran’s Hamlet (2009) David Tennant recently played Hamlet with the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) to critical acclaimDavid Tennant recently played Hamlet with the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company) to critical acclaim Plays a likeable, sometimes comic Hamlet – vengeful, yet different from his predecessorsPlays a likeable, sometimes comic Hamlet – vengeful, yet different from his predecessors

David Tennant (2009)

Film Techniques once again… 1. Direction of Camera Angle and Position of Camera 2. Stage/Set Design 3. Music and Sound Effects 4. Physical Actions of Actors

What’s a soliloquy again? a dramatic speech uttered by one character speaking aloud while alone on the stage the soliloquist thus reveals his or her inner thoughts to the audience; he or she soliloquizes

Soliloquies in Hamlet Hamlet is an introspective character; his soliloquies are tragic, and are him thinking outwards rather than confiding in the audience